Ian Gillan – Toolbox (91)

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1 Hang Me Out to Dry
2 Toolbox
3 Dirty Dog
4 Candy Horizon
5 Don't Hold Me Back
6 Pictures of Hell
7 Dancing Nylon Shirt, Pt. 1
8 Bed of Nails
9 Gassed Up
10 Everything I Need
11 Dancing Nylon Shirt, Pt. 2

Ian Gillan's final solo outing before his second comeback with Deep Purple is possibly the singer's most rocking solo collection.

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Originally a European release, Toolbox finally appeared in North American record stores in 1997.

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The disc is hampered by its '80s production (complete with faux-Van Halen guitar licks and big reverb drum sounds) but Gillan's personality and dynamic performances preserve Toolbox's sharp rock & roll edge.

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Tracks like "Candy Horizon" and "Don't Hold Me Back" have more than their share of questionable lyrics, but Gillan's trademark screams easily overshadow any poetic shortcomings.

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Nothing can compare to the classic recordings Gillan was involved with in the early '70s, but among his second-tier offerings, Toolbox is definitely one of the best.

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